KEY POINTS:
Self confidence is a quality few jockeys possess in the New Zealand racing industry, but one jockey oozing confidence at Trentham racecourse yesterday, was Opie Bosson.
The champion New Zealand jockey was bullish in his pre-race prediction that Princess Coup would win the (Group One) $300,000 New World New Zealand Oaks.
The comeback king rode the Mark Walker-trained filly to perfection settling back off the speed before unleashing a blistering sprint down the outer in the home stretch to win by 4 1/2 lengths over Overkaast.
A further 1 1/2 lengths away in third was Veloce Bella, who ran a creditable race backing up after an unsuccessful attempt at the New Zealand Derby.
Bosson was glowing in his praise of the Encosta De Lago-sired filly.
"This filly has electric speed and can really accelerate when you ask her for an effort and we got back in the field with cover and worked our way into a challenging position on the turn," said Bosson.
"She's a very classy filly who has been very consistent and when she has been beaten it's usually through bad luck.
"She has been up a long time racing this season but she showed today that she's a good staying filly running it out strongly to the finishing line."
Princess Coup has fashioned an impressive racing record at Trentham, scoring three wins from four starts.
Clearly the big roomy left-handed racetrack suits the sit-and-sprint racing style of Princess Coup who has the ability to lengthen stride quickly cruising off the speed.
"I've won the New Zealand Oaks previously aboard She's Country and Bramble Rose but they're different fillies compared to Princess Coup.
"She's Country and Bramble Rose are grinding, staying types of fillies while Princess Coup has that electric sprinting speed."
Walker was delighted Princess Coup ran away with the Oaks - and also relieved to discover he hadn't asked too much of the filly in a long campaign that began in early spring.
Pre-race, Walker wondered if he might have raced Princess Coup too often after she jarred up when winning the Lowland Stakes at Trentham on March 3.
"We walked a fine line to get her here," he said.
Track conditions deteriorated from good to slow but Walker said he was not surprised by the acceleration Princess Coup showed in the run home.
"Class goes a long way, doesn't it? She's all class. She's just a gun filly."
She has had 16 starts for eight wins and four placings and the winning stake of $184,375 took her earnings to $480,000. The win wrapped up the 10-race Filly of the Year series.
